Stacker construction



NOV- 25, 1958 F. E. FowLl-:R ETAL 2,861,671

STACKER CONSTRUCTION Filed April l2, 195'? 4 e? e3 f4 v /0 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e4 65 27 2 f z8 r' 2,861,671 -Pat'ented Nov. 25, 1958 STACKER CONSTRUCTION Frank Edward Fowler and Robert J. Minder, Athens, Ga. Application April 12, 1957, Serial No. 652,480

' 4 claims. (Cl. 19a-3s) The present invention relates generally to stacking mechanisms, and more particularly to a sandwich stacking construction which may be used in conjunction with a sandwich making machine. Y

In brief, the present novel sandwich stacking construction includes a two-level split trough with which a constantly driven endless conveyor having spaced alternately long and short posts cooperates. The trough receives tandem sandwiches at one end and discharges stacked sandwiches at the other end. Spring hold-down means and stop means are provided to insure smooth continuous stacking of the sandwiches without jamming or sliding apart.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel sandwich stacking construction whi-ch is adapted to receive tandem sandwiches and discharge stack sandwiches.

Another object is to provide a novel sandwich stacking construction which is adapted to receive individual sandwiches moving at high speeds directly from a sandwichforming machine and to discharge them in stacks of the required number of sandwiches onto a conveyor or other device.

Another object is to provide a novel sandwich stacking construction which is of simple sturdy construction, thereby reducing both supervision and maintenance.

Another object is to provide a novel sandwich stacking construction which is adapted to positively stack sandwiches with a predetermined number in each` stack with minimum sandwich damage.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: j

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sandwich stacking construction incorporating the teachings of the present invention mounted adjacent the discharge end of a sandwich making machine; v

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view on substantially the line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view on substantially the line 5 5 of Figure 2, a stacked sandwich receiving conveyor being shown in broken lines at the discharge end of the sandwich sta-cking construction;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view on substantially the line 6 6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on substantially the line 7--7 of Figure 4; and

shafts 19 supported by the upper plate 13 and depending downwardly therefrom, each shaft 19 having a head against which the respective sprocket 18 bears and being threaded to engage threads in the plate 13 and to receive a nut 20. Al fourth sprocket 22 is secured to the upwardly extending end of a shaft 23 for rotation therewith, the shaft 23 being rotatably mounted in a bearing 24 integral with or secured to the base plate 12 and extending below the base plate 12. An endless ychain 25 is trained about the sprockets 18V and 22 and has secured thereto predeterminately spaced depending alternately short and long pusher posts 27 and 28, respectively.

A split trough 32 is mounted upon and along one side of thebase plate 12 below the upper plate 13 by posts 33 (Figs. 2-4). The split trough 32 includes spaced side members 34, spaced sandwich-receiving upper plates 35, and spaced sandwich-receiving lower plates 36. In Figure 2 is shown the vertically spaced overlapping relationship of the plates 35 and 36.

A leaf spring 37 is mounted on the upper edge of each side member 34 by screws 38 in a position adjacent the respective upper plate 35 and extending over the respective lowery plate 36.' The springs 37 are raised by a sandwich 40 on the upper plates 35 Vpassing therebeneath, placing them under tension so that they then function to press the sandwich 40 firmly onto the lower plates'36 as it leaves the upper plates 35, thereby preventing bouncing and subsequent jamming of sandwiches 40 in high speed stacking,which mayfwell exceed 400 stacks per minute.

A sandwich stop plate 42 is mounted transversely of the lower plates 36 for vertical reciprocation in suitable slots formed therein and in suitable slots in brackets 43 secured toand below the side plates 33. A pivot post 44 is secured to the stop plate 42 near the bottom edge which receives the lower end of a connecting link 45. The other end of the connecting link 45 is pivotally connected to a pivot post 46 secured to the face of a ydisc member 47 off center thereof (Figs. 2 and 4). The disc member 47 is secured to one end of a shaft 48 rotatably journaled in a bearing 49 mounted on the base plate 12, a bevelled gear 50 being secured to the other end thereof. The bevelled gear 50 meshes with a second bevelled gear 52 secured to the upper end of a vertical stub shaft 53 journaled in a bearing 54 mounted onthe base plate 12, the lower end thereof having secured thereto a sprocket 55 driven by a chain 56.

Manifestly, rotationof the shaft V48 from the sprocket 55 effects rotation of the disc member 47 and circular movement of the pivot post 46 which reciprocates the connecting link 45 andthe stop plate 42. The movement of the stop plate 42 is timed so that it is in the upper position as a sandwich 40 is'dropped from the upper plates 35 to the lower plates 36, thereby effectively preventing sliding of the sandwich 40 out of position to receive a second sandwich 40 on top thereof, and establishing a stacking Zone.

On the lower end of the shaft 23 is a sprocket 59 which is in a plane with the sprocket 55 and receives the chain 56. A third sprocket 60 also has the chain 56 trained thereabout for driving the same, the sprocket 60 being secured to the lower end of a shaft 61 journaled in a suitable bearing 62 mounted on a bedplate 63 of a sandwich making machine 64 to which said base plate 12 is also secured by suitable nut and bolt assemblies 65. To

I the upper end of the shaft 61 is secured a sprocket 66.

Only the sandwich discharge end of the sandwich making machine 64 is illustrated, which, in addition to the bedplate 63, includes. a large rotatably mounted sprocket 67 about which is trained an endless chain 68 to which are secured vertically extending spaced pusher posts 69. Also shown is the discharge portion of a split trough 70, the end of which is adjacent the split trough 3 32 for discharge of sandwiches 40 onto the upper plates 3.5. The `sprocket .66 is .disposed beneath the .end ofthe trough 70 so that the posts 69 travel a path to direct sandwiches 40 onto the plates 35 for immediate pickup 4by'the posts 27 and 2,8. a

In operation, it isrnanifest from the foregoing 'that the .sandwich stacking .machine .11S efliciently and smoothly receives sandwichefsrii from the Sandwich making machine 64 `at high speeds, stacks them, .and delivers them toa carrier 74 vwhich may be an endless belt :or other device.

The stop plate 42 is timed -to move into the Vraised position of lFigures12 and 4 to stop every other Vsandwich 40 where Ythe predetermined stack Vincludes two.V Similarly, the .Stop :plate 4 2 is in the lowered position of Figure 7 when a ,stack is .being moved thereover for subsequent disharge .to the carrier 74. The leaf springs 37 press kthe bottom ASandys/.ich 40 towards the lower plates 36 ,as :it lleaves the upper plates 35, thereby eliminating bouncing of the sandwich .40 which would o CQnr `at high handling speeds.

The several moving .parts of the machine 1t) are timed to cooperate in achieving the aforesaid stacking. As shown, stacking machine 10 is driven by the sandwich machine 64 to stack Vthe output of the latter regardless of its speed, so any change of speed of the sandwich machine 64 will,`at the same time, change the speed of the stacking machine `10. If desired, the machine 10 may be independently actuated.

The machine 10 as illustrated and described stacks two sandwiches 40, or the like. To stack three or more sandwiches l40, additional short posts 27 are added between long posts 28 and the relative vertical distance between the plates 35' and 36 may be changed, depending upon the thickness of the sandwiches 40, or the like. Alternately, a post of different length may be provided for each additional sandwich 40.

It is manifest that there has been provided a stacking machine for sandwiches, or the like, which fullls the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. I combination, stacking mechanism comprising CII .4 ing station, and means for restraining units against upward `movement at -said stacking station, said depending long posts being adapted to move stacks of units from said stacking station towards a stack-receiving means.

2. In combination, stacking mechanism comprising means for successively receiving units for stacking, a stacking station, means for forming stacks of units of predetermined numbers at said stacking station including an endless chain having spaced depending alternating short and long posts for moving individual units to said stacking station, means for stopping units at said stacking station including a reciprocable stop member timed to block movement of a unit for .a predetermined interval, and spring means for restraining units against upward movement at said stacking station, said depending long posts being adapted to move stacks of units from said stacking station towards a stack-receiving means.

3. In combination, stacking mechanism including a trough member for receiving units for stacking having a rst bottom portion at one level and a second bottom portion at a lower level, an endless chain having spaced depending alternating short and long posts for successively moving units from the first bottom portion to the second bottom portion, means for retaining a rst unit in said second bottom portion against movement for a predetermined time period, :means for restraining a unit from bouncing in its movement from the first bottom portion to the second bottom portion, means for moving a second unit onto a rst unit on said second bottom portion, and means for moving stacked units from said second bottom portion.

4. In ombination, stacking mechanism including a trough member Vfor receiving units for stacking having a rst bottom portion at one level and a second bottom portion at a lower level, an endless chain having spaced depending alternating short and long posts for successively moving units from the first bottom portion to the second bottom portion, means for retaining a irst unit in said second bottom portion against movement fora predetermined time period including a reciprocable -stop member timed to block movement of a unit for a predetermined interval, spring means for restraining a :unit from bouncing in its movement from the rst bottom portion to the second bottom portion, means for moving a second unit onto a first uniton said second bottom portion, and means for moving stacked units from :said second bottom portion.

References Cited in the `tile of this patent UNITED 'STATES PATENTS 1,460,059 Fine June 26, 1923 2,675,929 Youngfelt Apr. 2Q, 1954 2,678,716 Apgar May 18, 1954 2,782,898 Novick Feb. 26, 1957 

